The situation in the Middle East is increasingly dire, bringing the region closer to devastation. The assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on September 27, Iranian missile strikes on Israel on October 1, and Israel’s ongoing assaults on Gaza and Lebanon, coupled with the involvement of regional and global powers, signal an impending catastrophe that could engulf the entire region.

Israel has deployed troops into Lebanon, where fierce battles are raging between Hezbollah fighters and Israeli forces. Meanwhile, Israel’s relentless bombardment and ground operations have resulted in over 50,000 deaths in Gaza and around 1,000 in Lebanon. Approximately 1 million people have been displaced in Lebanon, with more than 10,000 children reported killed in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced plans for an imminent attack on Iran, reinforcing his aggressive stance with bold declarations. He insists that “nothing will stop us” in what he describes as a struggle between “the children of light and the children of darkness.” Citing religious justifications, Netanyahu referenced scripture calling for the destruction of the Amalekites, underscoring the ideological motivations behind Israel’s military actions.

The West continues to offer unconditional support for Israel. The US, UK, France, and Germany have provided both financial aid and military backing, enabling Israel’s military operations. Notably, US Senator Mark Kelly confirmed that Israel used a US-supplied 2,000-lb (900-kg) Mark 84 bomb to kill Nasrallah, stating that US military aid would persist. Additionally, BRICS+ nations have contributed to Israel’s military capabilities through the supply of coal, oil, and military equipment. Meanwhile, countries like Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Egypt have remained largely passive, complicity allowing Israel to continue operations that further destabilize the region.

Melvin Goodman, writing for Counterpunch, argues that “the Middle East is facing its greatest peril at this juncture because Netanyahu now has a free hand to conduct any military operation he desires against Iran. He no longer has to worry about responses from Hamas and Hezbollah, as both organizations have been strategically weakened on the battlefield. Additionally, Netanyahu faces no domestic opposition, with even former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett advocating for the destruction of critical infrastructure in Iran, including pipelines and missile complexes.”

There is a strong possibility that Israel will attack Iran with backing from the United States, potentially with tacit support from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and other Arab states that view Iran as a threat to their monarchies. However, such an attack is unlikely to lead to Israel’s victory; instead, it would further destabilize the entire region. Dr. Raashid Wali Janjua, in his analysis of the Israel-Iran conflict, outlines several possible war scenarios. One scenario envisions Israel, supported by the US and Western allies, launching airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, ports, and oil infrastructure. In response, Iran could retaliate with missile strikes on Israeli military bases and critical infrastructure, escalating the conflict into a prolonged war that might culminate in a nuclear confrontation. Another scenario involves a broader regional conflict involving Iranian proxies like Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, further destabilizing the region.

Simon Tisdall asserts in the Guardian that “Netanyahu’s self-serving, short-term military gambles—‘he has no plan for the morning after, anywhere’—presage not victory but a strategic disaster,’” as noted by American commentator Tom Friedman. The implications are significant: Israel is already experiencing severe chronic insecurity, reputational damage, economic harm, breaches of international law, and a rise in antisemitism, boycotts, and disinvestment. All of this underscores the fundamental question: how does this end? The likely answer is that it doesn’t. Much like a modern rerun of the Hundred Years’ War, this conflict, rooted in injustice, hate, and fear since 1948, may be paused but will not cease. As long as right-wing extremists and religious zealots dominate the landscape, obstructing a just political solution, everyone stands to lose.

Israel and Western powers should learn from the history of the Hundred Years’ War, which highlights the futility of endless cycles of violence and retaliation. Despite precision strikes, such as the 1992 helicopter attack that killed Hezbollah leader Abbas al-Musawi and the 2004 assassination of paraplegic Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, true peace and security remain elusive for the Israeli state.

Without a significant course correction, the entire Middle East could be drawn into a catastrophic war that threatens both regional and global security. The warnings are clear: if the underlying causes of the conflict—especially Israel’s refusal to recognize Palestinian sovereignty—are not addressed, the future holds only devastation and the imminent threat of a third world war.